Extension

The Carroll County Conservation District is now accepting Kentucky Soil Erosion and Water Quality Cost Share applications on a continuous basis.

This continual sign-up is designed to make the program more “landowner friendly” and help address the needs of a landowner at any time during the year.

As landowners plan conservation projects with the assistance of their local conservation district, they will be able to apply for financial assistance for those projects without having to wait for a designated sign up period.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency reminds producers that the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extended the authorization of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill) for many Com-modity Credit Corpor-ation commodity, disaster, and conservation programs through 2013. FSA administers these programs.

I have said it more than once and I am going to say it again. Carroll County is the greatest county on earth. There is not one project that 4-H has that there is not a true “expert” in Carroll County.

One of the projects in 4-H animal science is the process of curing country hams. When I came to Carroll County curing country ham was a project I wanted for the youth. Jim and Bob Froman gave of their time to talk with the members about the process and history of curing country hams.

Do you take your children shopping? This can be the perfect opportunity to help your child develop language skills.

There are many fun activities to do with younger children at the store to help them with language and reading skills.

The store is a great place for teaching new words and for introducing your child to new people and places. You can turn the time you have together into a valuable way to teach language skills to your child. Just remember to make it fun and to pick a time when neither you nor your child is hungry or tired.

January is an extremely important “checkpoint” in spring heifer-development programs.

The key to proper heifer development lies in understanding the factors that influence conception in yearling heifers.

One key factor regulating heifer fertility is age at puberty. Most producers do not consider age at puberty of their heifers to be a major problem, yet few know how many heifers are actually cyclic at the beginning of the breeding season.

By the end of the month, do you wonder where your money went? Many of you reading this column will hope that you can manage your money better this year than you did last year.

The start of a new year is the perfect time to get better control of your money. Under-standing how and where you spend your money is important for everyone for financial success and to have enough money available for necessities - especially in tough economic times. There are several key steps you can take to stretch your money a little farther each month.

As you are aware, the 4-H program could not exist without the support of caring adults. I have been the Carroll County 4-H Youth Development Agent for four months and I am absolutely so impressed with the encouragement that the citizens of this great county have given to this wonderful program.

Now is the time of year we resolve to make changes for the better. This year, you can resolve to be a positive influence in the life of a young person by volunteering with 4-H.

Study the performance of last year’s calf crop and plan for improvement. Plan your breeding program and consider a better herd sire(s). Select herd sires which will allow you to meet your goals and be willing to pay for superior animals.

Consider vaccinating the cows to help prevent calf scours.

Start cows on the high magnesium mineral supplement soon. Consider protein supplementation if hay is less than 10 percent crude protein. If cows are thin, begin energy (grain) supplementation now.